BOSTON — Bruins defensman Shane Hnidy played just 4:13 tonight, but his health might’ve been one of the few bright spots in the 3-1 loss.

Hnidy, who played just three regular-season games, took the roster spot vacated by Zdeno Chara for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series with Montreal at TD Garden.

There’s probably no lineup hole bigger than one left by Chara. And Hnidy’s obviously not expected to pick up the slack.

He is, however, expected to throw his weight around and stay healthy. He did just that by sticking up for teammate Rich Peverley after the forward was hit awkwardly by James Wisniewski. Hnidy picked up his first fighting major since his return to action and since last fall’s shoulder surgery.

“Yeah, I didn’t see [the hit] clear. I knew his back was turned,” said Hnidy. “And just trying to, you know we need certain times to get things going and it’s been a while. So just trying to do anything to get a spark.”

“It’s good,” Hnidy continued when asked about the shoulder. “It didn’t tear, so I’m good.”